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STRIKING GO TRANSIT WORKERS TO RALLY OUTSIDE NEGOTIATIONS

TORONTO, ON – To pressure Metrolinx to give GO Transit workers the fair and just contract they deserve, striking GO Transit workers will rally at 1pm today, Thursday, outside of resumed contract talks between ATU Local 1587 and Metrolinx at the Sheraton Centre Toronto in downtown Toronto.

Yesterday, after ATU International and ATU Canada held a press conference at Queens Park to pressure Metrolinx to meet for negotiations immediately in hopes of ending the GO Transit strike, Metrolinx has agreed to meet a day early, today to restart contract talks. 

Metrolinx had asked the Union to meet to negotiate on Friday after the GO Transit workers went on strike Monday. From the start of the strike, the Union has maintained they are willing to meet immediately to negotiate.

Metrolinx continues to refuse to address safety concerns by ensuring that experienced and highly trained workers remain on the job and continues to refuse to budge on language that would protect GO Transit jobs from being contracted out. The Union maintains that contracting out of public transit is the wrong course of action as private companies put profits over safety and service. Since bargaining began in April, the Union emphasized that safety and job security are its top priorities since bargaining began in April.  

Metrolinx workers had originally planned to strike on October 31, but last Wednesday pushed back the deadline in order to vote on the most recent offer. The deal failed overwhelmingly, with 81% voting to reject it and go on strike.